Concrete block construction



Sept. 28, 1926. 150L411 W. C. PARMLEY v CONCRETE BLOCK CONS'IRI JC'IION 3 Filed May 11, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 28 1926 I W. C. PARMLEY CONCRETE. isLocx CONSTRUCTION Filed May 11, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PATENT OFFICE.

HALTER C. PARMLEY, OF UPYER MONTCLAIB, NEW JERSEY.

CONCRETE BLOCK CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed May 11, 1922. Serial No. 560,028

The present invention relates to building block construction such as concrete blocks which are used in the fabrication of structures.

Vith the present structure as is usual, reinforcement in the nature of reinforcing bars may be advantageously used.

It frequently happens that in an arch or wall that the load at a given point is not evenly distributed over the sectional area. That is to say, a large part of the weight may be concentrated near the outer surface of the wall which induces a compression load while at the inner surface the edge of the blocks or similar structure may be actually in tension. The converse of the above statement is also a very likely situation.

This requires that the section becapable of carrying safely the combined movements and the load and the section must be deep enough so that there will be no danger of crushing the concrete along the edge which is in compression. To provide a section of the required depth makes a wall excessively thick where the loads are more evenly distributed.

The object of the present invention is to provide a block structure wherein the necessary strength is obtained in those portions which may be subjected to compression, and

to omit material from those portions of the section in which it is not required. This is in the middle portion of the section, and the omission of the material at the section as statea may be likened to the use of an eye beam wherein the web section is not as thick as the flanges.

A structure embodying the present inven tion whencompleted, may be described as consisting essentially of a series of rows of aligned concrete blocks in which the intermediate portions of the blocks are generally lightened by the omission of, concrete or whatever material. the block is made of along the neutral axis, while preserving the full depth of the section and full strength in compression along the edges.

Reference should be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which Fig. 1 is an end view of a conduit embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation showinga plurality of aligned blocksyFlg. 4 is an end view of one of the blocks looking toward the open end; Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of a plurality of blocks of modified form; Fig. 6 is an end elevation of one of the blocks shown in Fig. 5 looking'toward the open end.

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of two aligned blocks; Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a mod1- of modified construction; Fig. 12 is a topplan view of the block shown in Fig. 11;'

Fig. 13 is a portion of a sectional elevation showing a plurality of rings of blocks of the character shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing show a pipe or conduit construction embodying the present invention in which the pipe or conduit is builtup of hollow blocks 1 which are open at one end, the blocks being arranged in circular rows with the open ends of the blocks of one circular row abutting the closed ends of the blocks of the next circular row. The abutting ends of the blocks are formed to provide an opening along one or both sides thereof to receive the mortar for binding the blocks together, reenforcing bands 5 being preferably provided in the mortar of the joints. For convenience in applying the mortar to the joints, blocks are employed at the top and bottom of the conduit structure which are so constructed as to provide openings upon the upper sides thereof for the application of the mortar to the joints as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and a. The blocks forming the sides of the conduit may be formed to provide openings for the application of the mortar either from the inside or from the outside of the conduit or from both the inside,

or outside. Blocks particularly suitable for the construction of the sides of the conduit being shown in Figs. 5 to 13 inclusive.

Referring to Fig. 8 there is shown in sectional elevation three aligned blocks each of which is similar to the other. The block 1 may be described as a solid block having a reentrant opening 2. In otherwords, the opening forms a chamber within the block which is open at one end and closed at the other, and there are top, bottom and side walls which thus enclose all but one end of the chamber. .It will be seen therefore, that the side walls of the block are intact, and the compression loads which the block may be l ing rods or bonding members 10 may called upon to withstand will be carried by the side walls, and these will be made suiticiently thick for the purpose.

As shown in the drawing, the opening or chamber 2 is slightly tapering in form for manufacturing purposes. At that end of the block which is remote from the open end there is a projection 3 at the base of the block which is adapted to abut against the forward edge of the next succeeding block, thereby spacing the blocks slightly from each other, as indicated at 1. This space will serve as a groove in which reinforcing metal, such as indicated at 5, ma be placed, and the groove may be filled up with cement or grout to form a bond between the succeeding blocks in a. row.

Due to the fact that the ends of the blocks are open a certain amount of concrete, mortar, or grout, would tend to How into this opening. This may be undesirable, and in the event that it is, the open end of the block may be plugged up by means of a stopper or plate 6 which fits within the recess adjacent the open end thereof as clearly indicated in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 5 there'is shown a of all V blocks of slightly modified construe ion. Each block 7 is provided with the reentrant chamber 8 which is open at one end and closed at the other, as described with respect to Fig. 3. At the closed end of each block there is a projection 9 which 's pref erably of such dimension as to approximately fit in the open end of an adjoin block, as clearly indicated in Fig. 6. Pref erabfy this projection is made a little smaller so that when the blocks are aligned and concrete material or other bonding material is placed in the groove or space between the adjoining blocks, there will be a slight space left between the outer walls of the projection and the inner adjacent wals of the recess of the block.

In the spaces between the block reinforcbe placed.

This construction has the advantage of providing a means of quite accurately lining up the bloclrs in a row, and additionally, has the advantage of providing strength for the block at the outer or open end when a series of blocks are placed together, and the spaces between the aligned bcclrs are filled in with concrete, grout or other suitable cementing material.

In Figs. 8 to 10 inclusive there is shown a block of further modified construction an assemblage of these blocks when bi into a building structure.

11 indicates a block which is provided witha reentrant opening .12, providing a chamber which is closed at one end and open at the other in the same manner as previously described. At the closed end of this block there are two projecting members 13 and 14, these being spaced apart as suggested in Fig. 8. In assembling blocks of the construction which has been described they will be positioned in the manner suggested in 9. The two blocks 15 and 16 in' one row will have the block 17 in an adjacent row so positioned that the projections 13 and 14 lie on opposite sides of adjacent side walls of the blocks 15 and 16 straddling these adjacent walls, and the space between the projections 18 and 14 is so proportioned as to provide a convenient fit.

In the other row which is adjacent to the blocks 15 and 16 there will be a series of blocks such as represented at 18, and in this row the chambered portions 12 will co-operate .ith the adjacent projections on adjacent bloclzs, these projections extending into the chambered portion in a manner similar to that desc'ibed with respect to the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6, except that in the present case there are two projections instead of one.

The foregoing construction has advantages over that shown in respect to F ig s. 5 and 6, in that it permits the breaking of joints between the blocks in adjacent rows of blocks.

In Figs. 11, 12 and 13 there is shown aform of block and an asseinblyof blocks in a building structure in which each bloci: 19 is provided with two recesses or chambered portions 20 and 21, which are open at one end and closed at the opposite end, and at the closed end of the block there are projections 22, 23, one. edge portion being raised with respect to the other to abut against the adjoining edge of the adjacent block as shown in Fig. 13.

In building up a structure with these blocks the blocks in adjacent rows may be so positioned that the joints between them are in alignment, or they may be positioned;

so that the joints between adjacent rows are not in alignment, in which event the projections 22 and 23 on any given block in a row will straddle the adjacent end wall portions of two blocks which are in the next row of blocks. These blocks 19 when assembled in parallel rows will have intervening spaces along one side in which may be p'aced reinforcing elements 24, and the spaces filled with concrete, grout or other cementing material.

In certain types of construction, as for instance. a tunnel or conduit construction. such as shown in F 1, it may be desirable to place reinforcing bars or rods which are passed between adjacent rows of locks so that in certain portions at least they would be adjacent the inner edge of the block.

Under such conditions it would be necessary to use a block such as shown in F igs. 8 and 4-, at least, in those portions of the structure in which the reinforcing bars or rods pass from the outer to the inner surface, or vice versa, but if such a structure were desired, blocks such as shown in the remaining figures of the drawing, and which have been described, could be used to advantage. V

In case of the blocks which are shown in Figs. 3 and 4, it would be desirable to position the blocks so that the outer surface of the finished structure was continuous, such blocks may be arranged so that the joints close along the outside of the structure, and are open upon the inside for the purpose of receiving reinforcing. bars. Such a construction is shown in the lower half of Fig. 2, it being desirable in a conduit such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to provide joints in the lower portion of the conduit to which the mortar is applied from the interior of the conduit and in the upper portion joints to which the mortar is applied from the exterior thereof. 4 It will be noted that in allthe blocks which have been described the constructive feature of providing an inner chamber or recess, thereby providing a block in wnich the material is removed from a portion in which it is not needed, and is retained along the edges where the compression loads are carried. I r

A structure such for instance as a conduit, which is made from blocks of the character described which are reinforced by the steel hoopsor equivalent reinforcement and when the mortar in the joints has hardened, produces a structure which may be described as consisting of a series of reinforced substantially solid concrete rings with intermediate connecting portions which is cellular or what might be termed a construction to fill up the spaces between the rings and tie the rings together.

. Having-described my invention, I claim -1. A built up structure of blocks in which there is a row of aligned blocks, each block having a recessed interior which is open at one end and closed at the opposite end, the recess extending from one end through the major portion of the length of the block from' the front tothe rearthereof, each block having its closed end opposite the open end of the contiguous block, the closed end having a rabbeted shape so as to produce a groove between the blocks when the blocks are placed together in the structure.

2. A built up structure of blocks in which there is a row of aligned blocks, each block having a recessed interior which is open at one end and closed at the opposite end, the recess extendlng from one end through a major portion of the length of the block from the front to the rear thereof, each block at the closed end having a projecting portion, and the blocks being arranged so closed at the oppos'te end, the recess the open end of the contiguous block forms a recess between the adjacent rows of blocks and. reinforcement embedded in mortar between the blocks.

3. A built up. structure of blocks in which there are a plurality of rows of blocks, the blocks in eachrrow being in alignment, each block having a recessed interior which is open at one end and closed at the opposite end, each block having a projectionat the closed end, the recess extending from one end through a major portion of the length of the block from the front to the rear thereof, which projection is adjacent the open end ofa contiguous block, the structure providing spaces between the contiguous blocks, reinforcing metal in said spaces and binding material in the said spaces.

4. A built up structure of blocks in which there are a plurality of rows 0f1blocl s,the

blocks in each row bein 1n ali nment each a: :3 a 7 block having a recessed interior which is closed at the opposite open at one end and end, each block having a pro ection at the;

closed end, the recess extending from one end through a major portion of the length of the block from the front to the rear thereof, which projection ing of an adjacent block the structure pro-v viding spaces between the contiguous blocks, reinforcing metal in said spaces and binding materialin the said spaces. 3

5. A circular built up of building blocks, the body portion of whic are recessed and open at one end and closed at the opposite end, the recess extending.

through a major portion of the length of the block from the front to the rear thereof, lugs or projections upon the. closed ends entering the open ends of the adjacent blocks, and one side of the block being cut back so as to provide a circular groove about the exterior circumference of the blocks. 1 v r 6. A circular built up structure consisting of building blocks, the body portion of which are recessed and open at one end and extending from one end through a major portion from one end extends into the open- 1 structure consisting that the projecting portion abutting against 1' of the len 'th of the block from the front to .7 I

the rear t ereof, lugs or project-ions upon the closed ends entering the open ends of the adjacent blocks, and one side of the block being cut back so as to provide a circular groove about the exterior circumference of the blocks, and reinforcing metal embedded in mortar in said groove.

7. A built up structure of blocks in which there are adjacent rows of aligned blocks, each of said blocks being formed with a recess or opening which is open at one end and closed at the opposite end, the recess extending from one end through a major portion of the length of the block from the front to the rear thereof, said block being provided with a plurality of spaced extensions at the closed end thereof, said projections co-operating with the openings in the adjacent blocks and reinforcing metal embedded in grooves provided for the same between adjacent rows of said blocks.

8. A built up structure of blocks in which there are adjacent rows of aligned blocks, each of said blocks being formed with a re cess or chamber which is open at one end and closed at the opposite end, the recess extending from one end through major portion of the length of the block from the front to the rear thereof and each block at the closed end being provided with a pair of spaced projecting members, the blocks in adjacent rows being staggered so that adjacent projections on contacting blocks in one row extend into the recess of a block in the adjacent row, and reinforcing metal embedded in mortar in suitable spaces between said rows.

9. A building block comprising a body portion having a recess or chamber which is provided with, two distinct recesses or chambered portions which are open at one end and closed at their opposite end, the recess extending from one end through a major portion of the length of the block from the front to the rear thereof, and the closed end of the block having a pair of spaced outwardly extending projections cooperating with said openings, one side of the closed ends of the blocks being cut away to form a suitable groove along one margin of the structure when the blocks are in final position.

10. A built up structure of blocks in which there are parallel rows of aligned blocks each of which blocks is provided with two recesses or chambered portions that are open at one of their ends and closed at their opposite end, the recess extending from one end through av major portion of the length of the block from the front to the rear thereof and each block having a pair of spaced projections at the closed end thereof, the pro jectionson the blocks in one row co-operating with the recessed portions of the blocks in the adjacent row, one edge of the closed ends of the blocks being cut away to provide a groove along one margin of the structure, and reinforcing metal embedded in mortar in said groove.

11. A rounded or pipe-like structure built up of a series of longitudinal rows of blocks, rows of blocks having interior recesses open at one end extending from one end through a major portion of the length of the block from the front to the rear thereof projecting lugs upon the closed ends which CO-OPGI'iltQ with the openings in the adjacent blocks in any given row, the exterior surfaces of the closed ends of the blocks being cut back so as to form grooves extending transversely to the axis of the structure, and reinforcement embedded in mortar in these grooves.

12. A b ilt up structure of blocks in which there is a row of aligned blocks each block having a recessed interior closed at both ends.

13. A built up structure of blocks in which there is a row of aligned blocks each block having a recessed interior which is closed at bothends, the recess extending from one end through a major portion of the length of the block from the front to the rear thereof one end so formed as to provide a groove between said blocks when laid in the structure, and reinforcement within the groove embedded in mortar.

14. A built up structure of blocks in which there is a row of aligned blocks each block having a recessed interior which is open at one end and close-d at the opposite end, the recess extending from one end through a major portion of the length of the block from the front to the rear thereof each block at the closed end having a projecting portion, and the blocks being arranged so that the projecting portion of one block extends into the open end of the recess in the adjacent bloclt, the closed ends of the blocks being provided with grooves with reinforcing metal contained therein and embedded in the mortar of the joint.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto atiix my signature.

WALTER C. PARMLE Y.

and closed at the other, the recess 

